Senior Ecologist (Projects)

Ref: HCC614562
Salary: £38,092 - £42,389 per annum
Location: Three Minsters House, Winchester (Hybrid mix of remote and office-based working).
Closing date: 25 March 2024.

The Role:

We are looking to recruit a Senior Ecologist to work within the Ecology Team at Hampshire County Council. This post is an exciting opportunity to be at the heart of protecting and enhancing Hampshire's unique natural environment for its residents and visitors.

The Ecology Team is part of a large, integrated, multi-disciplinary team offering a range of specialist environmental services to the County Council and other public authorities. We work closely with County Highways and Property Services supporting the delivery of a range of property and infrastructure projects across Hampshire and beyond by matching a commercial sector approach to a public sector brief.

You'll be a collaborative and reliable team member who can also work independently and pro-actively. You will take the lead in a range of projects of varying complexity and act as a key point of contact for a particular work area. You will design, organise, and undertake a wide range of habitat and species surveys, supervise and mentor colleagues, and assist the Lead Ecologist in managing the overall programme of work.

About You:

You'll have excellent written and verbal communication skills and will be experienced in writing a full range of ecological survey reports. You will be confident in the use of typical IT packages as well as GIS and bat analysis software. You'll have the ability to organise and prioritise your workload to meet deadlines and the flexibility to work unsociable hours during the survey season.

You'll have extensive field survey experience to be confident in your botanical, habitat assessment, and protected species survey skills. You will hold one or more protected species survey licenses. In addition to having a broad range of ecological skills, a speciality in a particular taxonomic group such as ornithological surveys or aquatic ecology would be particularly welcomed.

You will work with clients and colleagues to develop and agree mitigation strategies and work with contractors to ensure any mitigation is implemented. You will have experience with obtaining assents and species mitigation licences.

Strong experience in working on Highways or other infrastructure schemes would be highly desirable, as would a working knowledge of the planning system. Experience in carrying out Biodiversity Net Gain assessments would also be particularly desirable.

Focused on moving and shaping a prospering and sustainable Hampshire, we deliver place-based services including investing in and managing our waste, highways, and transport infrastructure; managing the environment; leading on climate change mitigation; and supporting sustainable economic growth. You will enjoy the benefits, experience, and interest of working on a varied programme with an experienced team of ecologists. This comes with the advantages of working within a local authority environment, such as flexible working patterns, cross-disciplinary teamworking, and a supportive environment focussed on your wellbeing and personal development.

What We Can Offer You:

Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment.

Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance. We invest in you through our internal development programmes and training and offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Hampshire is a beautiful place to live, with vibrant cities, miles of coastline and two National Parks. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll find world class walking, cycling, sailing and much more. For more information, please go to: Living and Working in Hampshire.

Additional Information:

Senior Ecologist (Projects) - Job Description and Person Specification

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Adam Egglesfield, Lead Ecologist (Projects) - adam.egglesfield@hants.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.